This chapter took me a while to write :/ Sorry! I was trying to write it but got distracted by watching The Inbetweeners on YouTube...hahaa...anyway...do enjoy :)


"How long does it take exactly?" Dup groaned for a second time, slouching in his chair. He, Evan and Danny had been ready for what felt like hours, and now they were sat waiting out on the porch for the Leopard's Den Ladies to finally make an appearance, "Caroline!"

"Chill out, Dup" Olivia sighed, as she, Charlotte and Nomsa appeared at the doorway, "They're almost ready"

"You all look lovely" Danny smiled, hugging each of them in turn. Olivia had opted for a less dramatic evening outfit, and was wearing a pretty summer dress which was decorated in flowers, and had several long bead necklaces over the top. Charlotte had gone for a simple pink sparkly vest top and a denim skirt, and Nomsa was wearing her favourite traditional African dress.

"Thanks" Olivia smiled, sitting down next to Evan

"We're going to miss the party at this rate" Dup mumbled

"Anders!" Caroline yelled from inside "Stop complaining!"


"I don't know, Caroline" Alice said, looking awkwardly in the mirror, "Do you think I look alright?"

"You look stunning, Alice" Caroline nodded, putting her own hair down, "Danny won't recognise you"

"Thanks...I think" Alice smiled, "You don't think I look too dressed up though? I mean, I don't want everyone to stare"

"Have some confidence!" Caroline exclaimed "Just be normal, outspoken, fiery, Alice...but in a polite sophisticated way"

"Ok" She nodded "I'm ready"


Dup looked his watch impatiently, and sighed loudly, as Danny walked back and forth across the porch in boredom

"Oh for god's sake, Anders!" Caroline frowned, "We're here"

Danny and Dup looked up at their dates and both stayed still for a few moments with their mouths slightly hung open.

Alice was wearing the dress she had bought the day before, but it somehow seemed to look even better on her than it did before. She was now only a little shorter than Danny, thanks to the high heels she had bought, and she clutched a small bag to go with her dress in her right hand. Her hair was mainly loose, but it had been styled in soft curls and at one side, she had a white rose clip that pushed up some stray hair out of her face, but was mainly for decoration. Her makeup wasn't heavy; on her eyelids she had opted to use greys and dark blues to create a smoky effect to make her eyes stand out even more, (which Danny didn't even think was possible) with a small coat of eyeliner on both sets of lashes. Pale blusher highlighted her cheekbones, and a red lipstick emphasised her amazing smile.

Caroline, on the other hand had used little makeup, for a more natural effect, which also made her appear fresh and full of life, but mature all the same. She wore a full length dress, in a navy blue in colour, with a purple piece of material that went around her back, and over the crook of her elbows. Her hair was the same as it always was, perfect but still suitable for every occasion. She was wearing flat, black sandals on her feet, showing off her perfectly manicured toes, with her dark blue nail polish.

"You know, if the wind changes you face will stay like that" Caroline chuckled, as Dup and Danny finally snapped back to life.

"You're transportation awaits" Danny grinned, holding out his arm for Alice

"Why thank you, Mr. Trevanion" She giggled, as everyone followed them to the jeep. Danny, Dup and Evan took the front seats, and all the girls carefully climbed into the back.


"Here we go" Danny said, as her pulled into the car park. Everyone got out of the car, Dup helping both Caroline and Alice out of the back. The sound of music drifted in the air, and Evan and Olivia led the way to the main hall where the party was being held. Danny, however seemed to set off in a completely different direction

"Danny!" Alice called, trying to catch up with him, while also trying to keep her balance. She figured it would take her a while to get used to the shoes, "Where you going? The party's this way!"

"You go in" He told her, just quickly glancing at her "I won't be long"

"I hope you're not trying to ditch me" She laughed half-heartedly, grabbing hold of his arm, before he could walk away any further

"No, I just wanted to have a word with Harry, that's all" He reassured her

"Well I need to meet him..." She hinted, before looking at him pleasingly

"Come on, then" He sighed, placing her hand properly on his arm


"Alice!" Shouted Rowan, as he and another man walked up to them, "The party's over there"

"I know!" She said "Danny wanted to speak to what's-his-name...Harry"

"What's up Danny?" The man behind Rowan asked, stepping forward. It was in that moment when Alice felt a little disappointed. He was nothing special, he was just...plain. He had nothing special about him, but by the sorts of free men in and around the town, Alice could understand why the women were so excited about him. He had chestnut brown eyes and dark floppy hair, and was quite tall and skinny. In Alice's opinion he wasn't all that great, apart from his youngish and stylish dress sense, which showed he was probably fresh out of university.

"I just wanted to say thanks, that's all" Danny smiled "For giving us a hand, I...WE, appreciate it, don't we Alice?"

"Aye!" She nodded "A week off! It's a miracle!"

"Y'know, Danny" Rowan said, "Your daughter's already here"

"Rosie?" He asked excitedly, his face lighting up, "Let's go see her then!"

"See you later Rowan" Alice grinned, as Danny started to pull her away

"Will do!" He shouted after them "Go easy on the booze!"


"You look stunning tonight, Alice" Danny whispered in her ear as they approached the entrance, "I can't believe you're here with me!"

"Nor can I" Alice grinned, as Danny pushed open the doors, and held it open for her to walk through "Thank you!"

Music blasted out from giant speakers, and mad disco lights flitted around the room, which had been decorated with balloons and banners. A bar stood at one side of the room, and already had a large number of men stood around it, while the women were busy chatting and the children danced.

"Look, everyone's sat over there" Danny pointed to the side of the room, near the bar but also just next to the dance floor.

"Dad!" Rosie exclaimed, hugging Danny tightly

"Hello, love" Danny smiled "You alright? You look lovely tonight"

"I'm fine, Dad!" She laughed "Dup said you had something to tell me?"

"Later" He told her, looking awkwardly at Alice "I'll tell you later on"

"...Ok" She frowned, "Is everything alright?"

"Everything's fine!" Alice told her, "Let's get some drinks in, eh?"


The Leopard's Den table was now completely full, after Fatani, Buhle and Cashile had all joined them. Danny and Alice had sat opposite Max and Rosie, and it had been an hour or so since they had first arrived, everyone deep in conversation.

"You two have not always been happy! Don't you remember that massive fight you and Max had?" Danny asked

"That was a tiny little glitch in the relationship" Rosie protested "Besides; we were nowhere near as bad as you and Alice!"

"What do you mean by that?" Danny gulped

"When Alice first arrived, you two just couldn't get along!" She laughed "At least now seem to be friends"

"Yeah...about that" He nodded, nervously

"I think I should go get another round" Fatani excused himself, getting away from the atmosphere

"I'll go help him" Max said, completely unaware

"Shall we go dance?" Caroline asked, to no one in particular, but most of the table got up, and followed her to the dance floor, with the exception of Danny, Alice, Rosie, and Dup.

"I'll leave you to it!" Dup chuckled, and wondered off.

"What's going on?" Rosie asked, "Why's everyone gone?"

"Well, you see" Danny began, "I've been meaning to tell you for months, and I never actually got round to it..."

"I think I'll go too..." Alice smiled awkwardly, and also walked over to the bar, where her brother was now stood.


"Sorry, Alice" Fatani apologised, "I didn't want to intrude"

"Oh, no, don't worry about it" Alice told him, "Everyone else left, too"

"See, that's what you get with a nice guy like Danny" Rowan said, "He doesn't want to hurt anybody, he wants everyone to be happy"

"Yes, Rowan" She replied, sarcastically, "Because that's such a bad quality for a man"

"It is if he's lying to his daughter" He reminded her

"He's not lying!" She protested, "He just hasn't told her the truth...yet"

"So Danny hasn't told her yet?" Fatani asked

"He's just about to!" Alice exclaimed, in annoyance

"Told him what?" Max asked, listening in

"Well, erm..." Alice muttered, "you see, the thing is...me and Danny..."

"Time to grab your partner for this next one" The DJ announced "It's time to slow things down a bit"

"I'm off to dance with Buhle" Fatani said, excusing himself once more

"I should find Vanessa..." Rowan mumbled

"Do you think Rosie will want to dance?" Max asked, turning to Alice, "She is talking to Danny, after all"

"You just leave Danny to me" Alice smiled "Come on"


"Rosie!" Max said, approaching the table "Let's dance!"

Look into my eyes
You will see
What you mean to me

"What about dad? I can't leave him on his own" She told him

"He's with me" Alice grinned, holding her hand out to Danny.

"But I haven't even..." He said, standing up and taking hold of her hand.

Search your heart
Search your soul
And when you find me there you'll search no more

"It doesn't matter...we're dancing" She pulled him to the dance floor, where she wrapped her arms around his neck, and he did the same around her lower back. Rosie and Max stood there in surprise for a few moments, before joining them, but staying a fair distance away.

Don't tell me it's not worth tryin' for
You can't tell me it's not worth dyin' for
You know it's true
Everything I do I do it for you

"You know, Alice" Danny said, looking into her brilliant, bright blue eyes, "its times like this when I feel like the luckiest man alive"

"It's times like this when I realise how sentimental you are!" She laughed "But, for what it's worth...I love you"

"Believe me, Alice it's worth a lot" He grinned, "Because I love you, too"

Look into your heart
You will find
There's nothin' there to hide

"Your dad and Alice look cosy..." Max said, as he and Rosie gently swayed to the music, her head buried into his chest

"Do they?" She asked, looking up, "Actually...they do look a bit...you know...loved up"

Take me as I am
Take my life
I would give it all
I would sacrifice

"I'm sorry I haven't said anything to her" Danny sighed

"Hey, its fine" She smiled, "She'll find out very soon"

"How do you figure that one ou..." Danny was cut off by Alice, as she crashed her lips against his, and her eyes flickered shut. Danny closed his eyes too, and he pulled her body closer to his.

Don't tell me it's not worth fightin' for
I can't help it
There's nothin' I want more
You know it's true
Everything I do
I do it for you

"Oh my god Max!" Rosie exclaimed "Did you see that?"

"Yeah..." He nodded, "I saw it"

"Do you think they're like...together?" She asked

"Looks like it" He said

"But...he never said anything..." She frowned

"Maybe that's what he was trying to tell you before?" Max suggested

"Maybe" She agreed

There's no love
Like your love
And no other
Could give more love

Danny and Alice broke apart and grinned happily at one another

"Do you think she saw that?" Danny asked nervously

"And what if they did?" Alice laughed

"It's not the best way to find out your dad's got a girlfriend is it?

"Well, judging by the way her and Max are looking at us right now...I think that she most definitely did see that" She told him

"Oh great" He sighed

"Don't be so dramatic" Alice said

"I'm NOT being dramatic!" He protested

"Well kiss me again then" She grinned

"Alright..." He smiled, "I will"

There's nowhere
Unless you're there

All the time
All the way

"They are so together!" Rosie squealed excitedly, watching Danny kiss Alice again "It's about time dad got a girlfriend. He's been moping about for too long"

"So you're ok with it?" Max asked

"Yeah. Of course!" She nodded "I like Alice, and I like Charlotte. It's not as though I don't want them as part of the family. It looks as though Alice has done a lot of good to my dad. He's a lot happier, I noticed when they walked in, laughing away. He's just so...different! But in a good way, of course"

You can't tell me it's not worth tryin' for
I can't help it
There's nothin' I want more

"Alice Collins" Danny sighed happily, as they broke apart and began dancing again "You're amazing, do you know that?"

"I'll be even more amazing once I'm Alice Trevanion" She smiled, her eyes twinkling from the lights

"I never doubted that for a second" He told her, as she buried her head in his chest, and held onto him tightly

I would fight for you
I'd lie for you
Walk the wire for you
I'd die for you

"I'm glad that dad looks as happy as I feel" Rosie said, "Because, being with you...it's just...incredible"

"Rosie, I think you underestimate how much you mean to me" Max told her "You make me feel so alive and so very happy"

You know it's true

"Do you know something, Alice?" Danny asked

"What?" She replied

Danny said nothing, but instead sung along to the end of the song

Everything I do
I do it for you


Danny and Alice sat back down, as the music changed back to the faster songs. Everyone returned to the table, including Rosie and Max, grinning at Danny and Alice as they took their seats.

"What?" Danny asked innocently, holding Alice's hand secretly under the table as she looked down and tried not to laugh at Danny's awkwardness.

"You know what!" Rosie told him, "You two. Together"

"Oh! That!" Danny said, unconvincingly, "We...erm...well...I...I was gonna tell you, Rosie!"

"Well, congratulations, anyway" She smiled "I'm pleased you're happy"

"Thanks" Danny said, looking nervously as Alice, who was laughing as quietly as she could

"How long have you been together?" Rosie asked

"About a year? Maybe a bit longer" He replied

"Oh right" Rosie said simply. The conversation died down into silence, and nobody spoke another word, until Alice managed to calm herself down enough to cough and nudge Danny, forcing him to tell his daughter the full truth

"You see, Rosie..." Danny began, "Alice means a lot to me, and so do you of course, but you a few months ago...back when Olivia came back to Leopard's Den, I'd been thinking about my life and about spending it with Alice..."

"For god's sake Danny!" Alice laughed, unable to contain it anymore "You're such a wimp! Get on with it!"

"Me and Alice are getting married" He blurted out all at once, causing everyone on the table to turn and look at him.

"You're what?" Rosie asked, hardly able to believe it "You're getting...getting...m...married?"

"Yeah" He nodded, turning a little pink, "We are"

"Dad...that's..." Rosie said, "That's great!"

"What?" Danny asked, utterly confused, "You mean...you're alright with it?"

"Congratulations!" She exclaimed, standing up and hugging Alice, who was as shocked as Danny was, "I'm so pleased for you! When's the big day?"

"It's a few weeks yet" Danny told her, "Are you sure you're ok?"

"Yes!" She laughed "It's great news!"

"Well" Dup said, "I wasn't expecting that"


:) That's the party! ^_^ This is one of my favourite songs, btw. If you didn't know (if not, why not?) the song is Everything I Do (I Do It For You) by Bryan Adams